Modular product display

ABSTRACT

A modular product display formed from a first upper module that is useful to place decorative or advertising elements is described, one or more intermediate modules supporting exhibiting grates, which in turn include a new grate sliding system, in such a way that the displacement of the same in a forward direction to perform the recharge and the counting of the exhibited products, is facilitated, wherein each one of the exhibiting grates has its respective sliding comb which helps to keep the exhibited products on the front, that is, on the frontal part of the grate so that, in this manner, it is on view and at the reach of the consumer, and a last lower module that serves as base for the modular product display and which also serves to place decorative or advertising elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] One of the most important aspects within the industry of manufacturing and distributing edible products such as crackers, appetizers, fritters, bread, tidbits and the like, is the way that such products are displayed to consumers at the sale points.

[0002] It is desirable that the display of edible products is done in such a way that such products are always within reach of the consumer and remain orderly placed and classified within the display, furthermore that such display structure be plain and sturdy so that it allows to be fitted within the designated physical space where it is placed, while anybody should be capable of assembling it and that because of its versatile characteristics, storing capacity variations can be made, while a fast and quick substitution and supply of displayed products can be performed by the delivery personnel.

[0003] Market studies have shown that sales of a product increase significantly when such products are permanently “in front”, that is, that products are always placed at the front of a display, in such a manner that the consumer attention is drawn to them and they can easily be taken from the display.

[0004] Several types of displays are known for edible products which usually consist of a series of racks and shelves with divisions to arrange in rows the different products to be displayed for sale. However, such displays do not maintain products in front and at the same time supply labor is hampered by the delivery persons.

[0005] Another type of known display is the one published in the Mexican patent application number 9603837, which has the advantage of maintaining products in an orderly manner and permanently in front of the display, furthermore making it ease the placement labor by the delivery people. Nonetheless, in spite of its advantages, such display consists of a relatively complicated structure whereby all the racks in the display are jointly displaced upwards and downwards and products are placed on predetermined size trays which limit placing different size products on the display. On the other hand, due to the structural characteristics of this display, it would certainly be difficult to easily assemble and disassemble which would complicate its transportation and distribution to the sale points.

[0006] Another known display is the one published in the Mexican patent application number 9706269 consisting of a modular display, a plurality of racks that can be displaced upwards or downwards with respect to the frame, a plurality of containment means which can be displaced laterally upon a supporting rack, front fastening means and bracket means that allow the rotating movement of modular racks. Such display allows for conveniently displayed products packed in plastic bags such as appetizers, nevertheless, its structure and the diversity of parts it comprises make it a complex display and the proposed structure is frail considering the intensive use it is given at the sale point.

[0007] From the information obtained of the known skill state, it can be appreciated that none of the previously conceived elements solves the existing ongoing problem of supplying a display that is capable of modifying its storing capacity, that can be assembled by anybody assigned to the task, and that can be easily fitted into a physical determined space, while the exhibition grates allow easy reloading and counting of displayed products. Consequently, we present a modular display of products that from a simple and sturdy structure, and thanks to a modular configuration, it allows to vary its storing capacity as well as its dimensions, in such a way that it can be adapted to any physical space that is assigned for its placement at the sale point and which can be assembled by any person, while the sliding system which the display grates incorporate allow fast and effective product supplying and counting.

INVENTION OBJECTS

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a modular product display of sturdy and simple configuration, in such a manner that it can be easily transported and assembled at the sale point by any person to whom the task is assigned.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular product display that as a result of its modular configuration it allows modification of its storing capacity of products to be displayed.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular product display that is capable of adapting itself to the physical space assigned for its installation.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular product display that comprises a sliding system for display grates, such that these can rapidly and easily slide by means of simple attachment elements that support intensive use appropriate demands subjected at sale points, warranting its optimum operation throughout time.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular product display that maintains displayed products in front and in order, notwithstanding their gradual removal from the display.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular product display that propitiates delivery, counting and arrangement procedures of products at the sales point.

[0014] These and other objects of the invention will be evident by the following drawings and detailed preferred embodiments description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular product display of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper modular product display of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an in plant upper view of the upper module display of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate module display of FIG. 1, including a display grate.

[0019]FIG. 5 is an in plant upper view of an intermediate module display of FIG. 1, including a display grate.

[0020]FIG. 6 is an elevated front view of the intermediate module left side element of FIG. 4.

[0021]FIG. 7 is an elevated front view of the intermediate module right side element of FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a display grate.

[0023]FIG. 8b is an elevated front view of the display grate sliding system first fastening element.

[0024]FIG. 8c is a detailed view of fastening elements joined to side elements of FIG. 7.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a display grate sliding comb.

[0026]FIG. 10 is an in plant upper view of a display grate sliding comb of FIG. 9.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the display base module of FIG. 1; and

[0028]FIG. 12 is an elevated side view of the display base module of FIG. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 12, modular product display 1 is illustrated as being formed from an upper module 10, adequate to place decorating or advertising elements; one or more intermediate modules 20 that support a plurality of display grates 30, which comprise a grate sliding system such that forward sliding of same propitiated to perform displayed products reloading and counting and backwards to remain in the products display position, wherein each one of the display grates 30 can comprise a respective sliding comb 40 that helps to maintain displayed products in front and ordered, that is, on the front part of grate 30, so that they are within sight and reach of a consumer; and a lower module 50 which serves as base of modular products display 1 which furthermore can serve to place decorating or advertising elements.

[0030] The modular products display 1 is formed from an upper module 10, one or more intermediate modules 20 and a lower module 50, such modules being attached by using connecting nodes, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the preferred claim utilizing two rear nodes 59-60 and two front nodes 70-71.

[0031] The above results in a modular product display 1 easy to assemble, from a simple and sturdy configuration and with the characteristics of: adapting to designated physical installation space, as a result of the joining versatility of each of the integrating parts; the possibility of varying displaying products storing capacity in modular display 1, accomplished by adding or deleting intermediate modules 20 from modular display 1; and the possibility of modifying the distance between each of the displaying grates 30, at intermediate module 20, in order to adapt displaying products dimensions.

[0032] Upper module 10 used to place decorative or advertising elements, shown on FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises two reversed “L” shaped structural elements 11, defining such upper module 10 body, wherein each of the elements 11 are formed from a three parts sectioned rod, such that a central portion 12 is defined as horizontally arranged with respect to the modular display 1 base, one front end portion 13 forming a straight angle with respect to central portion 12 and which has a greater length than the rear end portion 14, which also forms a straight angle with respect to the central portion 12, such that portions 13 and 14 remain parallel and separated by central portion 12. On end portion of said elements 13 and 14 posterior connecting nodes 59-60 and frontal 70-71 are placed, which are coupled to upper module 10 with next module 20.

[0033] On the other hand, upper module 10 comprises three straight rods 15, 16 and 17 which define separation between the two structural elements 11, wherein rod 15 is placed over central portion 12 of structural element 11, near posterior end portion 14, while rods 16 and 17 are placed over same central portion 12 near frontal end portion 13 of structural element 11, rods 16 and 17 being placed parallel at a determined distance, in such a way that said rods 16 and 17 also serve as support for an “U” shaped element 18 which serves to place decorative or advertising elements on the products modular display 1.

[0034] Intermediate module 20 shown on FIGS. 1, 4, 5, y and 7, can be present on products modular display 1 one or more times, inasmuch as the quantity of included intermediate modules 20 defines the storing capacity and height of products modular display 1.

[0035] Each of modules 20 is formed from two lateral elements 21 denominated flags, and two tension members 25 and 26 disposed on posterior portion of said flags 21. Tension members 25 and 26 are diagonally coupled through cavities formed on two hollow circular projections, upper 61 and lower 61, from posterior connecting nodes 59-60 in such a way that, with these tension members 25 and 26, structural rigidity needed for optimal operation of said intermediate modules is achieved.

[0036] Flags 21 comprise two parallel straight rods, frontal 22 and posterior 23, which have the same length, posterior rod 23 being dephased with respect to frontal rod 22 as a consequence of the inclination angle on which a plurality of slanted rods 24 are placed and joined to said frontal and posterior rods 22 and 23. Slanted rods 24 have the function to support the plurality of exhibiting grates 30, wherein each of slanted rods 24 have a “U” shape so its ends are joined to frontal and posterior rods 22 and 23, leaving a free space A in such a way that easy displacement of exhibiting grates 30 forward and backward is allowed.

[0037] Rods 24 have a slanting angle with respect to rods 22 and 23 form between 15° and 45°, approximately, so that when grates are placed on their exhibiting position, products slide towards the front part of display.

[0038] Similarly, as on upper module 10, the intermediate module or modules 20 are joined to next module and the preceding module through posterior connecting nodes 59-60 and frontal nodes 70-71, placed on each of rods 22 and 23 end portions which integrate flags, respectively.

[0039] As illustrated on FIGS. 4 and 5, module 20 the capacity to receive a plurality of exhibiting grates 30, although only one of them is shown. Exhibiting grate 30 is shown with more detail in FIG. 8, wherein it can be appreciated that the same is configured from a plurality of parallel rods 31, conveniently placed to form a grate, a frontal wall 32 and a posterior wall 35. The frontal wall 32 is formed from a upwards and inwards projection of each rods integrating the plurality of rods 31 and which form exhibiting grate 30, wherein slanting angle of said projection of frontal wall 32 is found to be comprised within a rank of between 50° and 60° with respect to the plan defined by the plurality of rods 31, projections being limited by a rod 33 which is disposed perpendicularly to the plurality of rods 31. Exhibiting grate 30 on its posterior wall 35 being defined by a projection upwards and outwards the plurality of rods 31, in such a way that the slanting angle of said posterior wall 35 protection is comprised within a rank of between 120° and 130° with respect to the plan defined by the plurality of rods 31, also comprising a rod 36 which does the same function that rod 33 on frontal wall 32, in such a way that the distance comprised between limiting rods 33 and 36 defines the capacity of products which can be stored on exhibiting grate 30. Additionally, exhibiting grate 30 comprises over its frontal wall 32, two inverted “U” shaped elements 38 which are joined on their free ends to the frontal limiting rod 33 of the plurality of rods 31from grate 30, thus achieving to increase height of frontal wall 32 so as to allow to firmly retain the products which are exhibited on said exhibiting grate 30.

[0040] Over frontal wall 32 of grate 30, there is a sheet 39 placed, the upper margin of which is matched with the limiting rod 33 of the plurality of rods 31, in such a way that lower margin of said sheet 39 can be into the air under the plan defined by the plurality of rods 31 from the exhibiting grate 30, wherein said sheer 39 serves to place decorative or advertising products thereat.

[0041] Such as it was previously mentioned, exhibiting grate 30 also includes a sliding system which allows grates forward and backwards in order to place said grate on its exhibiting position or on its products supplying position. As can be seen with greater detail on FIGS. 8b and 8 c, said sliding system comprises a fist fastening element 80 which is disposed on back part of grate 30, near the point where plurality of rods 31 is projected to form its posterior wall 35 and under grate 30. First fastening element 80 is formed from a straight rod 81, which is perpendicularly disposed with respect to the plurality of rods 31, projecting outwards the two end rods from plurality of rods 31, wherein each of the ends of the fastening element 80 presents coupling elements to join exhibiting grate 30 to one of the rods integrating the plurality of rods 24 from flags 21. On one of the extremities of fastening element 80, there is a disposed a first joining element 82 configured from an “U” shaped projection that has a first portion 83 downwards as a continuation on the end of straight element 81, a second portion 84 parallel to straight element 81, and a third portion 85 upwards, with respect to straight segments 81 and 84, the length of which exceeds the plan defined by the plurality of rods 31 from exhibiting grate 30. In this way, joining element 82 is fastened from bottom to top to one of the rods which are part of the plurality of rods 24 from flags 21. The opposite end of fastening element 80 presents a second joining element 87 from exhibiting grate 30 with one of the rods integrating the plurality of rods 24 from flags 21, wherein said joining element 87 presents a configuration similar to the one from joining element 82, that is, it also presents a downwards projection 83, a straight segment 84 parallel to straight element 81, and an upwards projection 85 with respect to straight segments 81 and 84, including an additional projection 86 horizontal towards first joining element 82 which slightly exceeds the plan defined by the plurality of rods 31 from exhibiting grate 30, in such a way that the configuration of second joining element 87 provides a hook shaped latch which prevents that, once joining element 87 is inserted into corresponding rod from the plurality of rods 24 of the flag 21 elements, grate 30 could easily or by accident come out from the rod to which it is fastened.

[0042] To complement, in said sliding system there are four “L” shaped supporting elements disposed, two on the posterior part 88-89 and two on the frontal part 90-91, on each side of grate 30, which are fastened under penultimate and ultimate rods from the plurality of rods 31 of exhibiting grate 30. Each of said joining elements 88-91 are fixed to exhibiting grate, parallel to one another, and with respect to fastening element 80, and they have the less length arm downwards, so that when placing exhibiting grate 30 over one prom the plurality of rods 24 from flags 21, the grate rests over elements 88-91 on the portion near their projections downwards. Joining elements 90-91 are disposed near the frontal wall 32 of the exhibiting grate 30, thus accomplishing the frontal support function over one of the plurality of rods 24 from flags 21, and also retain exhibiting grate 30 in its exhibiting position once the joining elements 90-91 bump against the frontal section of the “U” formed on each of the rods 24, joined to straight bar 22 from flag 21.

[0043] With the previously described system, it can be easily appreciated that the form and disposition of the joining elements 82, 87 and 88-91, as well as the reduced contact surface between each one of the element intervening in the system, allows for easy and fast sliding of the exhibiting grate over the plurality of rods 24 of flags 21, from an exhibiting position to a supplying position, sliding the grate forward, once the grate 30 is slightly lifted in order to jump the butt defined by the pair of joining elements 90-91 and the arm of the rod that is part of the “U” shaped plurality of rods 24, joined to the straight rod 22 of flag 21.

[0044] Exhibiting grates 30 can additionally incorporate a sliding comb 40, which consists of a plurality of rods 41 placed on a two by two arrangement, except from the rods located on comb 40 ends, which are individual, such as it is appreciated on FIGS. 9 and 10. Sliding comb 40 arrangement is conceived in order to allow the products exhibited on exhibiting grate 30 to easily slide towards its frontal part once the grate is placed on its exhibiting position, wherein said rods present on one of their ends, a projection downwards and inwards 42, each of the rods integrating the sliding comb 40 joining by means of a rod element 43 which is perpendicularly disposed with respect to each one of the tips of the sliding comb 40 rods, while the plurality of rods 41 on the opposite end presents a projection downwards and outwards 44, which are also joined by means of a rod element 45 that is perpendicularly disposed with respect to each one of the tips of the sliding comb 40 rods. In this way, sliding comb 40 configuration allows that it can be properly coupled over exhibiting grate 30 on the start points from frontal and posterior walls 32 and 35, thus guaranteeing that exhibited products are always found at the front part of the exhibiting grates 30.

[0045] On the other hand, base module 50 from products modular display 1, shown on FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, is conformed by a first “U” shaped element 51, which is manufactured from a rectangular section material, wherein “L” shaped structural elements 52 are placed over its upper face and on each one of the arms from its free end defining, in combination with element 51, said base module 50 body, wherein each of the elements 52 is formed from a three-sectioned rod, in such a way that there is a central portion 53 horizontally disposed with respect to the modular display 1 base, and two end portions 54 and 55 on straight angle with respect to central portion 53. First end 54 presents a length larger than the one of second portion 55 from structural element 52, so that they are kept parallel and separated by central element 53. End part of said elements 54 and 55 are appropriate to place posterior connecting nodes 59-60 and frontal 70-71 which allow joining of this base module 50 with intermediate module 20 which precedes it. Additionally, said base module 50 comprises rods 56 and 57 the configuration of which allows, in combination with a straight rod 58, to define separation between the two structural elements 52 and to give the needed rigidity to support modules weight which are placed thereat.

[0046] Likewise, base module 50 comprises a levelling mechanism 65 formed by a solepiece transversally disposed with respect to posterior face of “U” shaped element 51, which presents on its center a threaded bore, wherein a screw is threaded allowing to level modular display 1 in order to keep it horizontal with respect to the plan wherein it is located in spite of the surface irregularities on which it is placed. So that base module 50 integrates four levelling mechanisms 65 disposed over posterior face of “U” shaped element 51 on each one of the arms ends of said element 51. Finally, base module 50 also comprises an element 66 which is formed from an inverted “U” shaped structure tilted towards main body of base module 50, on which free ends, and as part of the same structure, there are placed on straight angle with respect to free ends two segments joining said structure with central portion of “U” shaped element 51 on its upper face, this in order to give rigidity to element 66 so that it can sustain sheet 67 disposed on its frontal part, which serves to house advertising or decorative elements thereat. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular product display of simple structure and resistant capable of modifying it storing capacity, which can be easily assembled, and which allows to be adapted to a determined physical space, wherein said display incorporates exhibiting grates which are configured from a plurality of rods that allow an easy recharge and counting of the products to be exhibited, characterized because it comprises: an upper module joined to immediate lower module by means of four connecting nodes, two frontal and two posterior: one or more intermediate modules which are configured from two lateral elements called flags, which consist of two parallel straight rods with the same height, the second being dephased with respect to the first one as a consequence of a slanted angle wherein they are placed when being joined by a plurality of slanted “U” shaped rods, and two tension members placed on upper part of said flags, wherein said tension members are diagonally coupled into cavities of two upper and lower hollow circular projections from posterior connecting nodes which join intermediate module to adjacent modules, upper and lower; exhibiting grates from intermediate module or modules comprising a sliding system, consisting of a first fastening element and four L shaped supporting elements, wherein said first fastening element is perpendicularly disposed with respect to the plurality of rods forming exhibiting grate, and it is joined to upper part of exhibiting grate thereunder, and wherein said L shaped supporting elements are placed two on frontal part, and two on posterior part on each of lateral ends from exhibiting grate, projecting outwards, such that each of these supporting elements are parallel to one another and with respect to the first fastening element, in such a way that supporting elements from frontal part bump against the frontal arm of “U” shaped slanted rod to keep exhibiting grate on an exhibiting position and can be released by slightly lifting said grate to displace forward the grate to a supplying position; and a lower module which serves as a base for modular product display which, as anterior modules, is joined by four connecting nodes, two frontal and two posterior, to preceding module.
 2. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because first element of sliding element of exhibiting grate is formed from a straight rod, which is perpendicularly placed with respect to exhibiting grate, projecting outwards from the two end rods of the plurality of rods which form said exhibiting grate, wherein each of the ends of fastening element presents coupling elements to join exhibiting grate with one of slanted rods which integrate the plurality of rods of said flags, placing on one of the fastening element ends a first joining element configured from an “U” shaped projection having a first downwards portion, as a continuation on the straight element end, a second portion parallel to straight element, and a third upwards portion, which length exceeds the plan defined by exhibiting grate, in such a way that joining element is fastened from bottom to top to one of the slanted rods forming part of the plurality of rods from flags; and wherein opposite end of fastening element presents a second joining element of exhibiting grate which presents a downwards projection, a straight segment parallel to straight element, an upwards projection, and an additional projection horizontal towards first joining element, which slightly exceeds the plan defined by exhibiting grate, in such a way that the second element configuration provides a hook shaped latch which prevents that, once joining element is inserted into corresponding slanted rod from the plurality of rods of the flag elements, grate could easily or by accident come out from the rod to which it is fastened.
 3. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because the four L shaped supporting elements are located, two on upper part and two on frontal part, on each side of exhibiting grate, and are fastened under penultimate and ultimate rods from the plurality of rods of exhibiting grate, each one of said L shaped supporting elements being fixed to exhibiting grate parallel to one another and with respect to fastening element, and with the arm with less length downwards in such a way that, when placing exhibiting grate over one of the plurality of slanted rods from flags, grate rests over L shaped supporting elements on the part near their projections downwards; and wherein L shaped supporting elements from frontal part are disposed near the exhibiting grate frontal wall, thus accomplishing the frontal support function over one of the plurality of flags slanted rods, and also to hold exhibiting grate on its exhibiting position once supporting elements of the frontal part butt against frontal section of the “U” formed on each one of the flags slanted rods.
 4. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because exhibiting grates incorporate a sliding comb consisting of a plurality of rods placed on a two by two arrangement, except for the rods placed on comb ends, which are individual, wherein said rods present on one of their ends a downwards and inwards projection, being joined each of the rods which are perpendicularly disposed with respect to one of the tips of the sliding comb rods, while the plurality of rods on opposite end present a downwards and outwards projection which are also joined by means of a rod element which is perpendicularly disposed with respect to each one of the tips of the sliding comb rods, in such a way that sliding comb allows that they can be properly coupled over an exhibiting grate on the start points of frontal and posterior walls, thus guaranteeing that exhibited products are always found at the front of the exhibiting grate.
 5. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because inclination angle of each of the slanted rods integrating the flag elements from intermediate module, is found comprised in a rank of between 15° and 45°, approximately.
 6. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because upper module comprises two inverted L shaped structural elements, defining said upper module body, wherein each of the inverted “L” shaped structural elements is formed from a three-sectioned rod, in such a way that a central portion horizontally disposed with respect to the base of the modular display is defined, a portion of the frontal end forming a straight angle with respect to the central portion and that represents a length larger than the one from the posterior end portion, which also forms a straight angle with respect to central portion, so that the portions from the frontal end and the posterior end are kept parallel and separated by the central portion; and which also comprises three straight rods defining the separation between the two inverted “L” shaped structural elements, in such a way that said rods also serve as support for an “U” shaped element that serves to place the decorative or advertising elements on the modular product display.
 7. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 1, also characterized because base module comprises an “U” shaped element over which there are disposed on its upper face and on each one of its arms from its free ends, two “L” shaped structural elements defining, in combination with the “U” shaped element the body of said base module, wherein each one of the “L” shaped structural elements is formed from a three-sectioned rod, so that there is a central portion horizontally disposed with respect to the base of the modular display, and two end portions in straight angle with respect to the central portion, first end presenting a length larger than the one from second end of the “L” shaped structural element, so that they are kept parallel and separated by central element, and additionally comprising two rods the configuration of which allows, in combination with a straight rod, to define separation between the two “L” shaped structural elements and to give the needed rigidity to support the weight of the modules placed thereat.
 8. A modular product display, such as is claimed on claim 7, also characterized because base module integrates on each one of the arms ends from the “U” shaped element, a levelling mechanism formed by a solepiece which is transversally placed with respect to the posterior face of the “U” shaped element presenting on its center a threaded bore, wherein a screw is threaded so as to allow levelling of the modular display 1, in order to keep it horizontal with respect to the plan wherein it is located, in spite of the surface irregularities on which it is placed. 